Lewis Insulation Blog Posts

Pros and Cons of Foam Insulation

Posted by & filed under Residential Insulation, Spray Foam Insulation.

Insulation acts as one of the primary barriers to escaped heat during the winter and cool during the summer – both of which impact the overall energy efficiency of your home. Especially when living somewhere with such a wide range of temperatures and winters as harsh as Minnesota experiences, insulation is an important piece to making sure your home stays comfortable all year round. That’s why we’ve consolidated a list of pros and cons about foam insulation in Rogers! Here at Lewis Insulation, we have experience working with multiple kinds of insulation, but foam is one of the most popular – and for a reason!

Blown in Cellulose Insulation

Pros

Increased energy efficiency.

While this can be said of any insulation choice, spray foam insulation improves the thermal envelope around the home, allowing less air to escape the home and keeping your home warm or cool as desired for a lower cost!

Superior R-value.

When compared to traditional rolled or blown in insulation, foam insulation boasts a higher R-value. This means that less heat can be conducted through the material, making it a more efficient insulator.

Contributes to structural strength of home.

Foam insulation has also been proven to increase the structural strength of a home! Due to how spray foam insulation is installed, it can increase the durability of the home.

Moisture resistance.

Additionally, foam insulation has the highest moisture resistance of commonly used types of insulation. In fact, FEMA has classified it as having the highest resistance to flood damage!

Cons

Requires professional installation.

Spray foam insulation is not a DIY project. It requires proper and precise mixing of chemicals to ensure an effective installation and can pose safety risks if handled incorrectly.

Failing to adhere to manufacturer’s guidelines causes long-term issues.

Without proper experience and understanding of manufacturer’s guidelines, there can be long-term issues caused by unprofessional installation. Failing to adhere to guidelines can cause prolonged odors, oily residue and ineffective insulation.

Health concerns during installation.

Finally, due to the nature of mixing chemicals, foam insulation can pose a health risk if the installer is not fitted with the proper PPE. Gloves, eye protection and masks are all strictly required during installation and handling of spray foam installation to avoid any health risks.

Luckily, all of the cons are negated when you choose to hire a professional like Lewis Insulation! We understand the manufacturer’s guidelines for each insulation we work with and ensure that each contractor on site wears the proper PPE to keep them safe.

Are you ready to have new foam insulation installed in your home in Rogers or the surrounding Twin Cities area? Call Lewis Insulation today at 763-477-2612 or contact us!

Replace Your Residential Insulation for Energy Efficiency this Winter

Posted by & filed under Residential Insulation.

Winter is quickly approaching here in Minnesota, which means now is the time to prepare your home for the harsh weather to come. Have you noticed drafts coming in through your attic making your home feel chillier? Don’t spend a fortune on energy bills this winter, instead allow Lewis Insulation to replace your residential insulation in St. Michael or the surrounding areas!

Inadequate insulation can increase your energy bills. In fact, an estimated 75% of heat can be saved with effective insulation! Think of how much you could cut down on your energy bills by saving three quarters of your heat.

Additionally, by requiring less energy to heat your home, you can actually reduce your carbon footprint! New insulation for your home can help you become more environmentally friendly while also saving you money.

residential insulation St Michael

Even if you are thinking of selling your home soon, investing in new insulation is still a good thing to consider. On average, home value increases $20 for every $1 reduction in annual utility bills. With how much heat you’ll save thanks to your new insulation, the value of your home should jump up as well!

New insulation may seem like a large investment to start, but once you factor in monthly savings on your energy bills, you’ll see the return on investment is quick and high! New insulation is one of the best investments you can make in your home this time of year, as energy prices continue to rise, and cold weather is here to stay.

Each home is different, meaning that the right insulation could vary from your house to your neighbors’. Here at Lewis Insulation, not only are we ready to help you prepare your home for the upcoming winter by replacing your old insulation, but we can also help you determine which insulation is the best fit for your house and needs!

So, give us a call today to learn more about how new insulation can protect you from skyrocketing energy costs this winter. We are happy to talk more about the benefits of new insulation before the coldest months of the year or discuss the specific needs of your home!

When it comes time to install or replace residential insulation in your home in St. Michael or the surrounding areas, choose the best. Call Lewis Insulation today at 763-477-2612 or contact us!

6 Benefits of Spray Foam Insulation

Posted by & filed under Spray Foam Insulation.

If it’s time to add or replace insulation, you may feel overwhelmed with options. Insulation is imperative to the efficiency of your home, and even adds some protection to it as well. It’s important to make sure you are choosing both the right type of insulation for your needs and an experienced contractor to install it for you.

One type of insulation with many benefits is spray foam. When you need spray foam insulation in Minneapolis, the experts at Lewis Insulation have you covered! In the meantime, here are some common benefits of using spray foam insulation in your home.

1. Noise Reduction

When building a home in a close neighborhood, it’s hard to know what kind of neighbors you’ll actually be getting. While we all hope for nice, friendly and quiet neighbors, we also know that’s not always the case.

Luckily, spray foam insulation can significantly reduce noise, allowing you to enjoy your new neighborhood, even if your neighbors are a little noisier than you would have liked.

spray foam insulation Minneapolis

2. Cooling and Heating Efficiency

Due to the nature of spray foam insulation, it is able to get into small cracks and crevices unlike other types of insulation. When applied, spray foam expands and dries, blocking air and water from entering through the cracks.

When air is blocked from sneaking in through little cracks in your home, you can improve your heating and cooling efficiency! In the summer, hot air will have a harder time getting in, just as cold air will struggle in the winter.

3. Fewer Allergens

When those same small cracks and crevices are sealed, fewer allergens such as pollen are able to make it into your home. This allows you to survive the curse of seasonal allergies easier! Plus, your guests will feel more welcomed and comfortable in a home that doesn’t make them sneeze non-stop

4. Bug and Pest Prevention

Yet again, another benefit of filling small cracks in your home with spray foam insulation is preventing access to bugs and pests. An infestation of mice or bugs can quickly become an even bigger problem due to damage they may cause within your home.

Spray foam insulation can block their access, allowing you peace of mind and money saved that would have previously been spent on pest control.

5. Mold Prevention

Spray foam insulation prevents moisture from leaking into your home through the outside walls and roof by sealing up cracks. This prevention of moisture also prevents the growth of mold and mildew in your walls.

By stopping the water leaking through walls, spray foam insulation can help prevent health issues caused by exposure to mold or mildew over time.

6. Environmentally Friendly

The incorporation of spray foam insulation into your home reduces energy consumption of your home by reducing the amount of cooling or heating required to combat the outside air sneaking in. By making your home more efficient, you are making it more environmentally friendly.

Plus, spray foam insulation is a long-term solution for insulation as it lasts longer than other types. This allows for fewer materials to be used over time in your home, reducing waste.

When it comes time to install or replace insulation in your Minneapolis home consider spray foam insulation. Call Lewis Insulation today at 763-477-2612 or contact us!

Old Insulation: To Remove or Not to Remove

Posted by & filed under Insulation Info.

Your home’s insulation is the first line of defense against extreme temperatures, so it’s important to make sure that it’s performing as best as it can. If your insulation isn’t up to the task, what do you do with your old insulation?

Lewis Insulation takes care of all of your insulation needs in the Twin Cities area; from removal to installation, we do it all.

Now, to answer your question about when to remove or keep your old insulation, here are some instances when it’s best to remove, and some when it’s best to keep, your old insulation.

Twin Cities Insulation

When to Remove Old Insulation

Whether you are renovating an entire house or just fixing up a single room, here are some scenarios where you should definitely remove your old insulation before adding new:

  • You’re replacing your insulation with spray foam. One of the biggest selling points of spray foam is that it expands to create an air-tight seal, but if there’s remaining insulation in the way the spray foam can’t do its job.
  • You’ve had rodents or other pests. Loose-fill insulation and fiberglass batts are both pretty cozy hideouts for rodents and other pests. If you’ve had any critter issues, it’s best to remove your old insulation so you can ensure there aren’t any droppings left behind, permeating your insulation.
  • You’ve had water damage. If there are any signs of moisture in your old insulation, it’s important to remove it completely before adding new insulation. It’s equally as important to find the source of the moisture to ensure that you are protecting yourself against potential future damage. Wet insulation can promote the growth of mold and mildew, so you need to make sure that any waterlogged insulation is removed before proceeding.
  • You’ve had fire or smoke damage. If you have had a fire, chances are your insulation will need to be replaced, whether it has directly experienced fire damage. As insulation can absorb the smell of smoke, it’s best to replace all insulation after a fire to remove the smoke odor from your home.

When to Keep Old Insulation

While there are times to remove the old insulation first, there are also some instances where you can keep your old insulation and just add new to it!

  • You’re adding loose-fill insulation. Since there are no potentially harmful chemical interactions between mixing loose-fill insulation and other types of insulation, it’s completely safe to add loose-fill to your existing insulation. As long as your old insulation is in good shape, adding more loose-fill is a great course of action to increase your home’s insulation effectiveness.
  • You’re adding batt or rolled insulation. Just as it was for loose-fill insulation, batt or rolled insulation can be added to existing insulation so long as it’s in good condition. There are no potentially harmful chemical interactions to be had, so unless there’s another underlying reason, there’s no need to remove your old insulation.

So now you know – when it’s time for you to reinsulate your home whether you need to remove your old insulation depends on the scenario. If you have any questions or still aren’t sure whether you need to remove your old insulation in your Twin Cities home, call Lewis Insulation today at 763-477-2612 or Contact Us!

Getting to Know You, Getting to Know All About…Different Types of Insulation

Posted by & filed under Residential Insulation.

While most people know there are several different types of insulation, not many are familiar with their many differences. Fiberglass, cellulose, spray foam: which one will you choose for your home? As the trusted name in home insulation for Minneapolis and the surrounding areas, we would like to compare and contrast the different options in insulation to help you choose the right one for your unique home.

home insulation Minneapolis

Fiberglass

Of the three most popular types of insulation, fiberglass has been around the longest and is more commonly used. Fiberglass is man made and can be installed in both new and existing homes, garages, attics and more. It is non-combustible, non-corrosive & non absorbent. If exposed to moisture, fiberglass will not hold water.

Fiberglass insulation isn’t the pink stuff of the past. Fiberglass insulation from Lewis Insulation is high-quality JM fiberglass insulation. When you have us upgrade your home’s insulation with JM fiberglass insulation, you can expect year-round comfort. Whether it be your attic, walls, floors or ceilings, you can be assured that you will use less energy to heat & cool your home.

Spray Foam 

Closed cell polyurethane spray foam insulation is one of the most advanced insulating materials available on the market today. We use state-of-the-art equipment and have completed certified training and continued education on spraying polyurethane spray foam.

Closed cell spray foam offers the highest R-value over all other insulation materials. JM Corbond III offers a true R-7 per inch.

Cellulose 

Cellulose insulation is considered a greener material than fiberglass, and being made of paper, does not pose any health issues to the installer or home occupants.

Cellulose insulation is also chemically treated to resist fire, insects and mold. It has a better resistance to air flow and prevents the upward movement of air caused by temperature differences. The R-value of cellulose insulation actually improves during cold weather.

We install blown-in cellulose insulation in both new and existing attics and walls, as well as garages, pole buildings, etc. Cellulose insulation is manufactured from recycled newspaper. It is non-toxic, and will not rot, decay or contribute to mold growth. Cellulose insulation is considered “green” as it is made from recycled newspaper and requires less energy to manufacture.

As you can see, each of these types of insulation offers improved efficiency and come with their own unique set of benefits. Which one will you choose? To learn more about home insulation in Minneapolis, give us a call at 763-477-2612 or contact us. We serve the entire Twin Cities metro.